Dome light assembly



June 2, 1970 R. I... JUNGWIRTH 3,5 5,

DOME LIGHT ASSEMBLY f Filed 001;. 11, 1967 OFF 3 R50 L Wwr 62 BY 6V9, fz/ J4, 44M

ATTOR/V'YS United States Patent 3,515,863 DOME LIGHT ASSEMBLY Robert L. Jungwirth, Detroit, Mich., assignor, by mesne assignments, to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army Filed Oct. 11, 1967, Ser. No. 674,685 Int. Cl. B60q 3/02; F21s 11/18 US. Cl. 240-735 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to the interior lighting of a vehicle. More particularly, this invention concerns the dome light assembly which is normally associated with vehicles.

In the past, internal lighting has been provided without means to control intensity of the lighting. Moreover, although it has been previously known to provide a lamp from which both white and colored light may emanate, these devices are cumbersome, expensive, and not easily adjustable. Further, such devices had various parts mounted exteriorly of the main housing which were easily breakable.

These prior art devices are not waterproof and hence have limited utility. Such devices are also difiicult to assemble and disassemble.

The improved apparatus of the present invention eliminates the drawbacks of these earlier devices. The invention accordingly provides for a waterproof dome light assembly having a housing which has a wafer switch mounted on one end and a variable rheostat mounted on the other end. The housing, according to the invention, has an outer lens mounted therein. The rheostat mentioned above has a lamp connected thereto which extends within the housing. The above referenced switch has a cylindrical inner lens mounted thereto which extends intermediate the outer lens and the lamp. The inner lens is of variable chromaticity so that the color of the emitted light may vary depending on the chromaticity and position of the inner lens relative to the outer lens and the lamp. The switch is also provided with locking means to prevent the switch and attached lens from being inadvertently turned to enable the assembly to emit white light. The rheostat is built-in to protect the assembly from damage and can be adjusted to vary the intensity of illumination.

An object of the invention therefore is to eliminate the aforesaid disadvantages.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a waterproof dome light assembly which selectively provides a white or red light.

Another object of the instant invention is the provision of a dome light assembly which emits both white and colored light but prevents inadvertent illumination of the white light.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a dome light assembly which has dimmer equipment to vary the intensity of emitted light which is mounted internally for added protection.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a waterproof dome light assembly which has dimmer equipment to control the intensity of illumination and inherent cooling provisions mounted on the assembly.

It is still another object of the present invention to "ice provide a compact dome light assembly which is waterproof and which selectively emits white and colored light of variable intensity.

Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art by the following description when considered in relation to the accompanying drawing of which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the dome light assembly taken substantially along line A-A of FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is an elevational end view of the dome light assembly according to the invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of the dome light assembly according to the invention taken along lines 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the electrical switching circuit used in connection with the dome light assembly according to the invention.

Referring now to the drawing, wherein similar reference numerals will refer to similar parts in the various figures, a housing 10 is provided which has cooling fins 12 integrally formed therewith. Also formed integrally with housing 10 are support arms 11 with which the dome light assembly is fixed to the vehicle. Housing 10 may be cast from an aluminum alloy with an opening 14 positioned therein. Opening 14 extends approximately degrees about the outer circumference of the housing 10. An outer lens 16 is sealed within opening 14 by any suitable means such as a cement gasket. Lens 16 is formed of any suitable material such as glass and is preferably translucent. The translucent lens is desirable for good light diffusion and area coverage. For additional security, a housing cover 18 is mounted in housing 10 with a portion thereof extending into opening 14 and against the outer surface of lens 16.

Secured to one end of housing 10 is an end cover 20 which can best be seen in FIG. 2. A gasket 38 is provided between housing 10 and cover 20 to insure waterproof operation. Mounted in end cover 20 is a wafer switch designated generally as 24. Mounted on one end of switch 24 is a knob 28. Mounted within knob 28 is a plunger 30 which has screw 33 fixed therein. A cut out is provided in knob 28 to allow screw 33 to be raised and lowered against the force of biasing spring 32. A stop 22 is formed on the end of cover 20. With screw 33 in the outer position as shown in the drawing, knob 28 cannot be rotated past stop 22. By depressing plunger 30 inwardly against the biasing force of spring 32, screw 33 is radially inward of stop 22, hence knob 28 can be caused to rotate. The switch as shown in a three position switch. The position of the switch as shown in the drawing is the white light position, the intermediate station is the off position, and the remaining position is the red light position. As shown in the drawing, these positions are nominally 60 displaced. As can be seen in FIG. 2, knob 28 can be freely turned from the oif position to the red light position. However, in order to turn from the intermediate off position to the white light position, plunger 30 must be depressed. Hence, the white light cannot be inadvertently turned on. Instead a deliberate and positive act of depressing plunger 30 prior to rotation of knob 28 must be performed. This is very important especially in military tactical situations wherein white light which is visible at a great distance is totally unacceptable.

Also secured in end cover 20 is waterproof connector assembly 26 which permits wire 44 to pass through end cover 20 without allowing moisture to enter. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, wire 44 is connetced to any suitable power supply and also to one of three external contacts 36. As knob 28 is turned, the wafers within switch 24 permit the power supply to be connected to the suitable red or white contact as shown in FIG. 4. The dome light assembly emits either white or colored light due to the chromaticity of the inner lens 48 as will be more fully described hereinafter.

A spindle 34 is shown emerging from the opposite side of switch 24 and extending axially within housing 10. Mounted on spindle 34 is a lens assembly comprising inner lens 48 and end disk 50. Lens 48 is cylindrical and can be made from any suitable material such as high temperature glass such as Pyrex. Inner lens is mounted on circular end disk 50 and secured thereto by means of seal 94. Spindle 34 is preferably noncircular in cross-section. As shown in FIG. 3, end disk 50 has a corresponding aperture 51 cut therein which permits end disk 50 to slide on shaft 34. The noncircular shaft and aperture prevent end disk 50 and lens 48 from rotating about spindle 34. Pressed or otherwise suitably mounted on the opposite cylindrical edge of lens 48 is cylindrically shaped support 78. Support 78 turns with inner lens 48 and bears against shoulder 56 of housing 10.

As mentioned previously, lens 48 is formed in the shape of a cylinder and may generally be formed from high temperature glass such as Pyrex. As shown in FIG. 3, one-half of the glass surface 54 is left clear and onehalf of the glass surface is stained so that it is of red chromaticity. When the inner lens 48 is in the position shown in FIG. 3, switch 24 will be in the off position and no light will emanate through lens 16. In order to have the dome light assembly emit red light, hub 50 which is mounted on shaft 34 must be turned so that inner red lens 52 covers the entire opening 14 in housing 10. When lens '52 fully covers opening 14 and lens 16, switch 24 will be in the red light on position as shown in FIGS 2 and 4. In order to have the dome light assembly emit white light, hub 50 must be turned so that the clear lens 54 entirely covers opening 14 and the inner surface of lens 16. When lens 54 covers opening 14, switch 24 will be in the white light on position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.

Mounted on the opposite end of housing is a removable assembly comprising a second housing 64, a variable rheostat 82, a base member 58, and lamp 62. Second housing 64 is shown as being mounted to housing 10 on the end opposite of switch 24. Nut 68 is screwed on the end of housing 10 and presses against shoulder 65 of housing 64. Seal 46 is located between the two housings to provide waterproof protection. A connector assembly, indicated generally at 42, provides a positive make and break contact when housing 64 is joined or removed from housing 10. The connector assembly includes male connector pin 72, female connector 73, and accompanying insulation 70 and 71. Insulation 70 surrounds pin 72 which is mounted in housing 64. A complementary female connector 73 is secured in housing 10 and is insulated therefrom by insulation 71. Conductor 74 which is secured to housing 10 by cement 40 connects wafer switch 24 and female connector 73. When nut 68 is removed from housing 10, housing 64 can be removed which causes pin 72 to separate from female connector 73. The connector assembly 42 permits housing 64 to be completely disassociated from housing 10 when nut 68 is removed and connector assembly 42 is disconnected.

A rheostat 82 is mounted within housing 64 and connected to pin 72 by means of conductor 76. The amount of resistance placed in the circuit as shown in FIG. 4 can be varied by turning knob 90 which is secured to rheostat 82. As .show in FIG. 4, lamp 62 is connected to rheostat 82. Lamp 62 is positioned within inner cylindrical lens 48 and is mounted in socket 60 which is secured to a cylindrical base member 58. Lamp 62 may conveniently be a candle power single contact bulb with suitable connectors to ground potential through housing 10. Also secured to base 58 is a metal reflector 84. A flange 66 is provided in housing 64 for securely mounting base member 58. Housing 64 may be removed 4 from housing 10 and base member 58, bulb 62, and reflector 84 will remain in fixed spaced relation to housing 64. An insulation spacer is provided intermediate base 58 and rheostat 82 for additional protection.

In operation, the dome light assembly is mounted in a vehicle by means of support arms 11. Electrical power from any suitable source such as the vehicle battery is connected to conductor 44 which passes through waterproof connector assembly 26. Assuming that wafer switch 24 is in the off position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, no power will be delivered to bulb 62. When switch 24 is in the off position, inner cylindrical lens 48 is in the position shown in FIG. 3 with one-half of lens 16 covered by clear glass portion 54- and one-half of lens 16 covered by red lens portion 52. If red light is desired, switch '24 is turned to the red-on position which supplies power to bulb 62. The turning of switch 24 to this position also caused inner lens 48 which is fixedly mounted to shaft 34 to turn so that red lens 22 entirely covers opening 14. If light of difierent intensity is desired, rheostat 84 is varied accordingly by turning knob 90. If the vehicle is an area where white light can be utilized, the switch 24 can be turned to the on-white position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. This will again supply power to lamp 62 through rheostat 82. As previously mentioned, plunger 30 which is located in knob 28 must be depressed before switch 34 can be turned to this position. As switch 24 turns, disk 50 and lens 48 also turn, thereby causing the inner surface of lens 16 to be completely covered by clear lens portion 54. Because both inner ends portion 54 and outer lens 16 are nonchromatic, only while light will emanate from the assembly with the switch 24 in the on-white position. Once again, the intensity of illumination may be varied by varying the amount of resistance in series with the lamp by changing the position of rheostat 82. To turn the lamp off, plunger 30 must again be depressed before switch 24 is returned to the off position. Hence, what has been shown and described is a Waterproof dome light assembly assembled in a gasket sealed' cast metal case with a control switch and plastic electrical connector at one end and a dimmer rheostat at the other end. A lamp is provided to furnish either a normal white light or a (blackout) red light output through a combination white and red movable inner lens and an outer translucent lens, the latter lens being mounted in the housing.

The dome light assembly is of relatively small overall physical size and can fit onto a curved ceiling or corner area because of the compact design. The dimmer controls and switch are mounted internally of the housing and is thereby superior to externally mounted dimming rheostats which are vulnerable to physical damage. The assembly requires only one bulb and not a multiple of white and colored lamps. The assembly has a greater light output and a broader area coverage for the size of its bulb than do other lighting units.

Since it is obvious that many changes and modifications can be made in the above-described details without departing from thte nature and spirit of the invention, the invention is not limited to said details except as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A waterproof dome light assembly comprising:

a first housing which is waterproof,

rotatable switch means,

a dimming rheostat,

an inner lens of variable chromaticity,

an outer lens, and

a lamp;

said first housing being provided with an aperture;

said outer lens being mounted in said aperture;

said switch means being mounted in a first end of said first housing and being provided with a spindle, and a disc mounted on said spindle; said dimming rheostat being mounted at a second end of said housing and being electrically connected to said switch means and said lamp for controlling the intensity of illumination;

said inner lens being cylindrical, mounted on said disc intermediate said lamp and said outer lens and within said first housing in such a fashion that said switch and said inner lens can be rotated to cause the light emanating from said lamp to be selectively changed from white light to colored light.

2. A waterproof dome light assembly comprising:

a first housing which is waterproof,

rotatable switch means;

a dimming rheostat;

an inner lens of variable chromaticity;

an outer lens;

a lamp mounted on a base member removably mounted in a second housing by means of a friction fit;

a connector assembly located at the junction of said first and second housings to disconnect said rheostat from said switch means when said second housing is removed from said first housing;

said first housing being provided with an aperture;

said outer lens being mounted in said aperture;

said switch means being mounted in a first end of said first housing;

said dimming rheostat being removably mounted at a second end of said first housing and being electrically connected to said switch means and said lamp for controlling the intensity of illumination; and

said inner lens being rotatably mounted within said first housing and fixed to said switch means in such a fashion that said switch means and said inner lens can be rotated to cause the light emanating from said lamp to be selectively changed from white to colored light.

3. A dome light assembly according to claim 2 wherein said second housing is secured to said first housing by means of a nut which surrounds a portion of said second housing and is threadably engaged within said first housing.

4. A waterproof dome light assembly comprising:

a first housing which is waterproof;

rotatable switch means;

a dimming rheostat;

an outer lens;

a lamp within said first housing;

said first housing being provided with an aperture;

said outer lens being mounted in said aperture;

a cylindrical inner lens having a first portion which is chromatic and a second portion which is clear, so that when said clear portion is intermediate said lamp and said outer lens, said assembly emits white light and when said chromatic portion is intermediate said lamp and said outer lens said assembly emits colored light;

cooling fins formed integrally with said first housing to dissipate heat generated by said lamp;

a cover mounted on said first end of said first housing;

and

locking means provided to prevent rotation of said inner lens so that the clear portion of said inner lens cannot be inadverently placed intermediate said lamp and said outer lems;

said switch means mounted in said cover in a first end of said housing and having a spindle extending therefrom;

said dimming rheostat being mounted at a second end of said first housing and being electrically connected to said switch means and said lamp for controlling the intensity of illumination; and

said inner lens being rotatably mounted on a disc which is mounted on said spindle and fixed to said switch means whereby said switch and said inner lens can be rotated to cause the light emanating from said lamp 6 to be selectively changed from white light to colored light. 5. A dome light assembly according to claim 4 wherein said locking means comprises,

a stop mounted on said cover and a knob mounted on said switch, said knob having a radially movable plunger which can be moved from an extended position to a retracted position, extension means mounted on said plunger, and a spring on which the plunger is mounted, said plunger being normally held in the extended position by said spring which causes said extension means to interrupt said stop, thereby preventing said switch and said inner lens from rotating, said plunger also being radially movable against the force of said spring to enable switch and lens to rotate without said extension interrupting said stop.

6. A waterproof dome light assembly comprising:

a first housing having a first end, a second end, heat radiating fixed thereto, and an aperture,

an outer lens mounted in said aperture,

an end cover mounted on said first end of said housing having a first axially extending stop fixed thereto,

a rotary switch mounted in said end cover having a spindle which extends axially within said housing and a knob which is mounted exteriorly of said housing,

said switch having at least two positions,

said knob having a radially adjustable plunger, a second axially extending stop means mounted on said plunger, and spring biasing means in contact with said plunger for forcing said second stop means into contact with said first stop means so that said switch can not be turned to at least one of said positions without depressing said plunger against the biasing force of said spring,

a disk mounted on said spindle,

an inner cylindrical lens assembly having a first portion which is chromatic and a second portion which is clear,

said inner lens having a first end which is secured to said disk and a second end which is rotatably mounted in said housing,

a removable assembly mounted to said housing comprising a variable rheostat, a housing, a base member, and a lamp,

said second housing being secured to the second end of said first housing by means of fastening means which encircles said second housing and is engaged to said first housing,

said variable rheostat being mounted in said second housing and electrically connected to said switch by means of a connector assembly,

said base member being removably mounted in said second housing, and said lamp being secured to said base member so that said removable assembly can be completely disassociated from said 'housing as a unit,

said inner lens being rotatable within said housing when said switch is rotated such that the light emanating from the assembly can be selectively changed from white light to colored light depending on the position of the inner lens relative to the outer lens and the lamp,

said rheostat being adjustable to vary the intensity of illumination.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,181,449 11/1939 Ayotte et a1. 240l0.66

(Other references on following page) UNITED 7 8 STATES PATENTS NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner Greenlee 240 46.59 XR D. S. STALLARD, Assistant Examiner Campbell 24046.59 XR Doliva 24046.59 XR US. Cl. X.R. Close 240-46.03 5 24046.03, 46.59 Porter 24047 

